The Hornady PRC 6.5 (Precision Rifle Cartridge) is a “magnumized” Creedmoor 6.5, with around 250 feet per second (fps) more velocity than the Creedmoor 6.5 for any bullet weight chosen. Consider how the transition from a .308 Win. to a .300 Win. Mag. results in a 300 fps improvement, thus the 6.5 PRC “magnum” name is appropriate.
The 6.5 PRC is the ruler of all “magnum” 6.5 cartridges, thanks to its outstanding performance without shortening barrel life or delivering savage recoil. The 6.5 PRC is a long-range cartridge that has enough barrel life to shoot a competitive season without having to change your barrel. It’s also advantageous since it fits in detachable box magazines.
6.5 PRC & 6.5 Creedmoor Differences
The 6.5 PRC and 6.5 Creedmoor have a lot of benefits to offer. Although the 6.5 PRC has been around for some time, the 6.5 Creedmoor has gained favor with shooters all over the world since its debut. Furthermore, many shooters remain unconvinced regarding the power of the 6.5 PRC.
However, do not confuse the 6.5 PRC, also known as the 6.5 Precision Rifle Cartridge, with the 6.5 Creedmoor, which is an improvement of the 6.5 PRC. As a result of this difference in specs, our specialists discovered that this is particularly visible in terms of velocity and long-range precision.
The 6.5 Creedmoor trails the 6.5 PRC by roughly 200 – 250 FPS (feet per second). This cartridge is great in terms of performance, and it has an advantage over other cartridges in that it minimizes barrel life due to its high speed and large diameter. It’s intended for use with heavy B.C. bullets.
The creation of the 6.5 PRC began in 2012 when George Gardner sought a more accurate cartridge for long-range hunting. He moved on to producing the PRC, a bigger Creedmoor cartridge for the Ruger Compact Magnum (RCM). Continue reading to discover if the 6.5 PRC vs. 6.5 Creedmoor debate is worth all of the fuss.
Terminal Performance
In our testing, the 6.5 PRC had a slight edge over the 6.5 Creedmoor in terms of performance. The wind drift of the 6.5 PRC is lower than that of the 6.5 Creedmoor over 500 yards, which is beneficial if one had a desire to achieve greater precision. 6.5 PRC is also loaded with bullets faster than 6.5Creedmoor does.
Ballistics Comparison
The PRC 6.5 factory load can fire a 147gr and 143 gr bullet at FPS 250 more rapidly than the 6.5 Creedmoor. The typical 6.5 PRC fires a 147 grand a 143 gr bullet at 2960 and 2910 FPS, respectively. This selection is not as close to what Gardner originally intended, but it demonstrates that the 6.5 PRC’s performance is outstanding and that it will only improve.
The loads in this section are specially made to minimize the wind drift and bullet drop in order to enhance accuracy.
Compared to Creedmoor 6.5, the PRC 6.5 has less wind drift and more energy retention. The trajectory of the PRC is flatter, with about 19% lower bullet drop between 400 yards and 600 yards.
The 6.5 Creedmoor is unique in that it uses bullets ranging from 120 grains to 147 grains—in contrast to the 6.5 PRC, which utilizes 143gr and 147gr projectiles. Both utilize a high B.C. bullet with a fast rifling rate of 1.8 to maintain stability for the huge, heavy bullets.
Recoil
In terms of free recoil energy, the 6.5 Creedmoor has a smoother kick than the 6.5 PRC. That’s because PRC is more concerned with accuracy and long-range shooting.
Because of the longer barrel, which is required for heavier loads, there is elevated recoil and shorter barrel life. The recoil generated by the 143gr bullet and 6.5 PRC at 3000 FPS is somewhat greater than that of Creedmoor.
The 6.5 Creedmoor loses to the 224 Valkyrie in this area, although it does not lose by a significant amount.
Regardless of how skilled you are at shooting, the recoil has an impact on the cartridge’s accuracy. However, if all variables are considered, you should have no difficulty shooting accurately, especially with a 6.5 Creedmoor that has less recoil.
Cartridge
The 6.5 PRC and 6.5 Creedmoor are optimized for long-range shooting, which is why their calibers contain the biggest bullets available. Because they can reach distances of up to 1000 yards in competitions, 6.5 PRC cartridges are suitable. Their medium bore (3200 FPS) and high velocity contribute to this.
The 6.5 PRC and 6.5 Creedmoor have different rim diameters, despite both utilizing a tampered case. For example, the diameter of the rim of the 6.5 PRC is considerably larger than that of the 6.5 Creedmoor (nearly 0.59 bigger). The greater grain capacity is responsible for this huge diameter.
Barrel Life Of 6.5 PRC And 6.5 Creedmoor
The 6.5 PRC has a bigger capacity, which means it will wear out the barrels more than the 6.5 Creedmoor due to its larger diameter barrel. Because the powder in the PRC burns longer, its barrels will last less long. The lifespan of a gun barrel is determined by many factors, including the quantity of ammunition fired, the barrel’s quality, and so on.
If you fire a lot or hunt, this is something to be concerned about because the 6.5 PRC barrel life will not exceed a few years. An average shooter, on the other hand, can expect many years of shooting with the 6.5 PRC since the barrel life ranges from 1000 to 2000 rounds, which lasts for several years.
Cost Of 6.5 Creedmoor And 6.5 PRC
The price of 6.5 vs. 6.5 PRC Creedmoor differs with the bullet type and the seller. You will get 20 rounds of the 140-grain bullet in the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge at a reasonable price. In contrast, the cost of the 6.5 PRC 147-grain bullet is somewhat more than that of 6.5 PRC on the other side.
The Velocity Of 6.5 PRC And 6.5 Creedmoor
The Creedmoor has a considerably slower muzzle velocity (about 690 FPS) than the PRC, which is why many shooters and hunters choose to transition from one to the other. The PRC has a 3000 FPS muzzle speed, whereas the Creedmoor has a 2700 FPS muzzle speed.
To know more about What is 6.5 PRC click here.
Thomas Boseman is the author of Pawnbroking.com. A pawn shop owner by day, blog writer by night. When not writing, he enjoys exploring the outdoors with his dog, Roman. Thomas received his bachelor of arts in film from the University of Arizona. A Brooklyn native, Thomas is a lover of filmmaking, motorcycle, and coffee.